Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all the letters this week! Mom, thank you for emailing me those pictures--our crepe myrtles are looking B-E-A-Utiful!
Well my week began with a rather interesting adventure. The last time that I entered the boys bathroom was in Mrs. Burch's class in 5th grade. I can't remember who dared me, but I did it. This week I didn't just run in and run out of the bathroom unannounced. This week I spent about ten minutes in there cleaning urinals. The reason it lasted ten minutes is because we spent about five minutes just standing there staring at them, and wondering how in the world to approach such strange, unappealing contraptions. But fortunately I survived! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Speaking of cleaning adventures, Mom, do you remember how you told me to be on the look out for Sister Farewell's nephew Elder Funke from Idaho? Well I didn't see him. But while cleaning the mail room I saw a letter addressed to him! And I felt like I should do something like write him a note on the envelope or steal the letter or read it or something. But I didn't. I just walked away.
Here's something cool! Brother Fogt's (Fu Hingdaih's) brother is on the US Olympic bobsled team and he competed in the 2010 games! That's right. I know someone who is related to a vaguely famous person. I also know an Elder named Elder Pizza. No joke. Guess where he's going on is his mission. Yes. Italy.
I've shared Jesse's emails with my district for the past few weeks, and the other day during class, I asked something to the effect of, "Gosh, why is Cantonese like that? That's so weird!" And Elder Morton turned to me and said, "TIC Sister Cutler. This Is Cantonese." Which he definitely stole from Jesse's This Is Africa phrase.
Speaking of Elder Morton, here are a couple of Week 4 Classic Morton Moments:
Elder Arrington: Why do the sisters only have to teach 3 times this week! No fair!
Sister Cutler: Life isn't fair. It says that in Proverbs.
Elder Morton: Really?
Sister Cutler: No.
Elder Morton: Oh. Okay. Well, you know what they say: If life is fair, why do roses have thorns?
Elder Arrington: That doesn't make sense.
Sister Cutler: (singing) Eeeee-very rose has its thorns.
Gu Hingdaih: It says that in the hymnbook.
Elder Morton: Really?
Gu Hingdaih: Yeah, it's hymn 134.
Sister Cutler: No.
Elder Morton looks over at the ice cream freezer where he sees a senior missionary eating an ice cream as she reaches in to grab another one. He smiles at her and says, "So you're getting another one, huh?" The best part is that he didn't realize for several minutes how that could have been considered rude.
Elder Morton: You know what would be the coolest thing ever? If they made a ski track that was kind of like a giant half-pipe, and then each skiier had a jousting pole and they started at the top and skiied at each other and tried to knock the other one over. I'd do that.
In other news, Sister Law isn't leaving next week after all. Her VISA paperwork didn't go through, so she'll be stuck here for a while longer. I think they'll try to send her to an in-state mission for a while, so I'll keep you posted! (*an email from Sister Law stated that she will be leaving next week...destination, unknown. So stay tuned)
Church was quite the adventure yesterday. Firstly, the Cantonese missionaries did a musical number in Cantonese in church! We sang "Be Still, My Soul" a cappella! Then I got called as zone coordinating sister. That means I'm in charge of welcoming the new missionaries (with the zone leaders) and then I'm responsible for monitoring all the sisters' welfare. I think it will be pretty fun! Relief Society in the MTC is a meeting with all the sisters and we always have a really great guest speaker. This week it was President Brown! He told us that there are more than 400 sister missionaries here this week! And in a couple of weeks we'll hit 490, which is a new record! Very exciting. And then during his lesson he was talking about... something... to be honest, I had started to drift off just a little... And I think he noticed because he said, "Sister, yes you with the polka dot shirt in the third row. Yes you! Come up here!" And so then I went up there and he said, "Sister Cutler, where are you from? Where are you serving? Hong Kong? Very nice. Can you teach me the Atonement?" I said, "What? In Cantonese?" And he said, "No, not unless you want to!" And so I did, and I was so nervous the whole time! But afterwards he said, "That was great. Do you think you deserve an ice cream cone?" To which I responded, "You bet I do!" And then he wrote down my favorite ice cream flavor and told me he'd pick it up from the BYU Creamery tomorrow!
Speaking of Relief Society, whenever we play sand volleyball and someone does a bad serve, everyone yells, "Relief Society re-do!" and give them another chance. People also say, "Deacon do-over!"
Last night we had a wonderful devotional. The speaker told us that "Jesus Christ doesn't ask for more than we have. Just like when he fed the five thousand, he didn't ask the people for enough food. He just asked for all they had. Five loaves and two fishes was enough for the Savior then, and your five loaves and two fishes are enough for him now. He will never ask for anything more or less than all you have." And that hit me so hard. I'll give it my all for him because he gave his all for us. That's what's so beautiful about this gospel. It's for everyone. He just needs all of whatever we have, and he will replace it with all that he has. I think that's more than a fair trade.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Week 3, in which I sing instead of speak, and in which I see pretty much everyone I've ever met within the confines of the MTC
Hello! Dim a! (That means 'what's up?')
First off, happy birthday to Dearest Quinn and Emmy and Kennedy! And Uncle Chris too, I guess... :) I guess I probably missed out on some delicious seven-layered cakes. But I miss you all even more!
Life in the MTC goes on, as per usual. Sister Law has decided to leave with the older Cantonese district in a couple of weeks, so once she leaves I'll be a 'solo sister.' That means that the elders will have to escort me everywhere, and in class one of them will be assigned to be my 'class and teaching companion.' I'll miss Sister Law, but I don't blame her one bit for wanting to get out of here and start serving! She's going to be great.
One thing that I love about the MTC (as I've mentioned before) is the musical atmosphere. Nowhere else could you expect to be serenaded while showering by about four or five different singers singing four or five different songs. There is one companionship whom I have never seen, but who have the most beautiful singing voices. They sing duets together every night, and it's always great. This week I've had songs from Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella stuck in my head. "In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whoever I want to be." "Do I love you because you're beautiful? Or are you beautiful because I love you?"
Can I even convey to you how awesome it is to sing 'We'll Bring the World His Truth' here? They change the words at the end: "And we are now the Lord's missionaries to bring the world his truth." The first time we sang those lines, I felt the reality of them hit me like a ton of spiritual bricks.
Speaking of music, I finally caved and bought a French hymnbook from the bookstore. I know it's probably not conducive to learning Cantonese, but I can't help but open it every couple of days (hours) and sing a couple lines (ten hymns) to myself (as loud as I can). I miss French! But if necessary, I would give it up in a heartbeat to learn Cantonese. I'm just hoping that won't be required!
There aren't that many things in the MTC cafeteria that I'll rave about. The pasta is okay, the cereal is always good... Regardless of what our elders say, NOTHING will make me eat the Malibu chicken sandwich or the chicken cordon bleu. That ain't happenin'. But when they put out the chocolate crinkle cookies (with powdered sugar, just like we make for Christmas), my days of healthy eating were over. My goal to not gain weight in the MTC was doomed. But you know what? I don't care! Bump that! I'm going to eat as many chocolate crinkle cookies as I can! I will smuggle out a whole pan of them if necessary.
One of my favorite Cantonese expressions is 'Cheng choh' (pronounced 'chang chaw'). It means 'please sit,' and you never say it just once. Whenever Gu Hingdaih or Fu Hingdaih tell us to 'cheng choh,' I always repeat it to myself over and over again. It's just the most archetypal Chinese phrase ever.
So last night we had an awesome fireside by Brother Allen, one of the MTC directors (or something like that). He talked about the hymn "Come, Come Ye Saints" and compared our missions to the pioneer treks. As I read the words to the hymn again, it really struck me how powerful that hymn is. "No toil nor labor fear, but with joy wend your way. Though hard to you this journey may appear, grace shall be as your day. Tis better far for us to strive, our useless cares from us to drive." He asked us what useless cares we've have since coming on our mission. I could think of about a million or so. And he told us to just let them go. Drive them away with hard work and a positive attitude. "Why should we mourn and think our lot is hard? Tis not so, all is right. Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight. Gird up your loins, fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake." I just love that! Sometimes I feel entitled to have it easier than I do. But seriously? Be real! This isn't supposed to be easy! But God won't forsake us. I just love that.
I've been thinking a lot about the scripture in Matthew where the Lord says, "Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." And then when you go to Isaiah 53 where it says, "He is despised and rejected of men. A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." How could a man who endured such terrible treatment as Christ did still say, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light"? It amazes me. It's because when you live like Christ, with a love for all men, you can feel peace and happiness regardless of your situation. You can say--even when you're rejected by your own countrymen or betrayed by one who professes to love you, to call you 'Master'--with joy, "All is well." I want to be like that.
Sister Law: Dang it! I messed up! Does anyone have white-out?
Elder Morton: I have Tide to Go...
In other news, I've seen about a million people that I know here: Jordan Brassell and J.J. Gibbons from Poquoson Ward; Jimmy Davidson from intramural basketball; and then Spencer, Anita, Jennifer, and Chelsea from Sparks. It's so fun to run into those people! And it keeps reminding me that there's a world outside the MTC. It's weird.
Thank you so much for your letters! I LOVE them! I miss you all so much, but wouldn't be anywhere else in the whole world! Talk to you next week! :)
First off, happy birthday to Dearest Quinn and Emmy and Kennedy! And Uncle Chris too, I guess... :) I guess I probably missed out on some delicious seven-layered cakes. But I miss you all even more!
Life in the MTC goes on, as per usual. Sister Law has decided to leave with the older Cantonese district in a couple of weeks, so once she leaves I'll be a 'solo sister.' That means that the elders will have to escort me everywhere, and in class one of them will be assigned to be my 'class and teaching companion.' I'll miss Sister Law, but I don't blame her one bit for wanting to get out of here and start serving! She's going to be great.
One thing that I love about the MTC (as I've mentioned before) is the musical atmosphere. Nowhere else could you expect to be serenaded while showering by about four or five different singers singing four or five different songs. There is one companionship whom I have never seen, but who have the most beautiful singing voices. They sing duets together every night, and it's always great. This week I've had songs from Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella stuck in my head. "In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whoever I want to be." "Do I love you because you're beautiful? Or are you beautiful because I love you?"
Can I even convey to you how awesome it is to sing 'We'll Bring the World His Truth' here? They change the words at the end: "And we are now the Lord's missionaries to bring the world his truth." The first time we sang those lines, I felt the reality of them hit me like a ton of spiritual bricks.
Speaking of music, I finally caved and bought a French hymnbook from the bookstore. I know it's probably not conducive to learning Cantonese, but I can't help but open it every couple of days (hours) and sing a couple lines (ten hymns) to myself (as loud as I can). I miss French! But if necessary, I would give it up in a heartbeat to learn Cantonese. I'm just hoping that won't be required!
There aren't that many things in the MTC cafeteria that I'll rave about. The pasta is okay, the cereal is always good... Regardless of what our elders say, NOTHING will make me eat the Malibu chicken sandwich or the chicken cordon bleu. That ain't happenin'. But when they put out the chocolate crinkle cookies (with powdered sugar, just like we make for Christmas), my days of healthy eating were over. My goal to not gain weight in the MTC was doomed. But you know what? I don't care! Bump that! I'm going to eat as many chocolate crinkle cookies as I can! I will smuggle out a whole pan of them if necessary.
One of my favorite Cantonese expressions is 'Cheng choh' (pronounced 'chang chaw'). It means 'please sit,' and you never say it just once. Whenever Gu Hingdaih or Fu Hingdaih tell us to 'cheng choh,' I always repeat it to myself over and over again. It's just the most archetypal Chinese phrase ever.
So last night we had an awesome fireside by Brother Allen, one of the MTC directors (or something like that). He talked about the hymn "Come, Come Ye Saints" and compared our missions to the pioneer treks. As I read the words to the hymn again, it really struck me how powerful that hymn is. "No toil nor labor fear, but with joy wend your way. Though hard to you this journey may appear, grace shall be as your day. Tis better far for us to strive, our useless cares from us to drive." He asked us what useless cares we've have since coming on our mission. I could think of about a million or so. And he told us to just let them go. Drive them away with hard work and a positive attitude. "Why should we mourn and think our lot is hard? Tis not so, all is right. Why should we think to earn a great reward if we now shun the fight. Gird up your loins, fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake." I just love that! Sometimes I feel entitled to have it easier than I do. But seriously? Be real! This isn't supposed to be easy! But God won't forsake us. I just love that.
I've been thinking a lot about the scripture in Matthew where the Lord says, "Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." And then when you go to Isaiah 53 where it says, "He is despised and rejected of men. A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief." How could a man who endured such terrible treatment as Christ did still say, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light"? It amazes me. It's because when you live like Christ, with a love for all men, you can feel peace and happiness regardless of your situation. You can say--even when you're rejected by your own countrymen or betrayed by one who professes to love you, to call you 'Master'--with joy, "All is well." I want to be like that.
Sister Law: Dang it! I messed up! Does anyone have white-out?
Elder Morton: I have Tide to Go...
In other news, I've seen about a million people that I know here: Jordan Brassell and J.J. Gibbons from Poquoson Ward; Jimmy Davidson from intramural basketball; and then Spencer, Anita, Jennifer, and Chelsea from Sparks. It's so fun to run into those people! And it keeps reminding me that there's a world outside the MTC. It's weird.
Thank you so much for your letters! I LOVE them! I miss you all so much, but wouldn't be anywhere else in the whole world! Talk to you next week! :)
Friday, July 20, 2012
Letter from Katie written 7-16-12
Dear Family:
Every Sunday we are supposed to prepare a talk and then the branch president announces who is giving talks in church right before it is time to speak. This means we all have to jeun beih (prepare) every week! Last week's topic was the atonement. I didn't get asked to speak, but I really loved preparing for this talk. I focused on David Bednar's talk about the enabling power of the atonement. He said, "The enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity."
I know I could not handle the busy life of a missionary by myself. But I know that if I rely on the Savior and do my best, that he will make up the difference. In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul writes, "By the grace of God, I am what I am...I laboured more abundantly than them all yet not I but the Grace of God which was in me." So if I have faith in God, he will give me the ability to work harder and longer than I ever have! And he can also help me love the people of Hong Kong more perfectly than I have ever loved before!
1 John 4:14-17 says, "The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world...And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect." I am so excited to develop my love for the people I am going to meet. As long as I do as much as I can, I can trust that God will keep his promises.
My goal for this week is to be more prayerful. I need to"lean not unto my own understanding" because really, what do I know? I am learning more and more about how little I know. This is the most humbling experience I have ever had, but I am so grateful for it. Every day I pray for the ability to be more teachable and open to criticism. I want to learn, I really do, but I still wince whenever someone corrects me! But I am trying really hard! I just keep remembering Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, then will I make weak things become strong unnto them." I want to be a strong missionary one day, and I know God is going to help me do that! The getting-there part might just be a little painful.
On a different note, I have collected several new nuggets of wisdom while being here (isn't "nuggets" an awful word?):
"Any excuse, no matter how valid, weakens the character." President Spencer W. Kimball
How awesome is that? WOW. Ever since reading that,I have been trying to cut out all the excuses, even the ones about me being sick or tired or hungry or cold (which I have always considered very valid.)
And here is one more:
"Do not let us speak of darker days; let us speak rather of sterner days. These are not dark days: these are great days--the greatest days our country has ever lived; and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race." Winston Churchill
I love his optimism, his no-fear-in-the-face-of-overwhelming-odds attitude. There are some unhappy things going on in the world today, but there are so many wonderful things too!
Here is an example of my daily schedule (the class times and gym times and study times change a little between days, but this is a pretty typical day):
6:30--wake up and get ready
7:00--study
7:30--daily planning (we schedule what we will do during study times)
8:00--breakfast
8:35--gym time (I usually go running and play sand volleyball, but sometimes we go to the gym and use the bikes while watching church movies. It is great, but one is only so motivated by a church movie...and it is pretty embarrassing to tear up in the middle of working out, but it happens whenever they play the Joseph Smith movie!)
9:25--shower
10--language computer lab
11--additional study time (whatever we need to work on)
11:30-personal study time (I read scriptures, church talks, and Preach My Gospel)
12:30-lunch (I usually get a wrap)
1:20-- language study (I do flash cards or practice speaking with my class)
2:35--classroom instruction (our teacher helps us with grammar structures, pronunciation, teaching techniques, etc.)
5:35--dinner
6:20--classroom instruction (more teaching or we teach an investigator)
9:30--return to room and get ready for bed
10:30-lights out
Yes, it is a very busy, full schedule, but it is effective! I am learning all the time and (for the most part) I enjoy it!
I miss you all so much and I am so grateful for your letters. I love you.
Katie
Every Sunday we are supposed to prepare a talk and then the branch president announces who is giving talks in church right before it is time to speak. This means we all have to jeun beih (prepare) every week! Last week's topic was the atonement. I didn't get asked to speak, but I really loved preparing for this talk. I focused on David Bednar's talk about the enabling power of the atonement. He said, "The enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity."
I know I could not handle the busy life of a missionary by myself. But I know that if I rely on the Savior and do my best, that he will make up the difference. In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul writes, "By the grace of God, I am what I am...I laboured more abundantly than them all yet not I but the Grace of God which was in me." So if I have faith in God, he will give me the ability to work harder and longer than I ever have! And he can also help me love the people of Hong Kong more perfectly than I have ever loved before!
1 John 4:14-17 says, "The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world...And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect." I am so excited to develop my love for the people I am going to meet. As long as I do as much as I can, I can trust that God will keep his promises.
My goal for this week is to be more prayerful. I need to"lean not unto my own understanding" because really, what do I know? I am learning more and more about how little I know. This is the most humbling experience I have ever had, but I am so grateful for it. Every day I pray for the ability to be more teachable and open to criticism. I want to learn, I really do, but I still wince whenever someone corrects me! But I am trying really hard! I just keep remembering Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble, and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, then will I make weak things become strong unnto them." I want to be a strong missionary one day, and I know God is going to help me do that! The getting-there part might just be a little painful.
On a different note, I have collected several new nuggets of wisdom while being here (isn't "nuggets" an awful word?):
"Any excuse, no matter how valid, weakens the character." President Spencer W. Kimball
How awesome is that? WOW. Ever since reading that,I have been trying to cut out all the excuses, even the ones about me being sick or tired or hungry or cold (which I have always considered very valid.)
And here is one more:
"Do not let us speak of darker days; let us speak rather of sterner days. These are not dark days: these are great days--the greatest days our country has ever lived; and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race." Winston Churchill
I love his optimism, his no-fear-in-the-face-of-overwhelming-odds attitude. There are some unhappy things going on in the world today, but there are so many wonderful things too!
Here is an example of my daily schedule (the class times and gym times and study times change a little between days, but this is a pretty typical day):
6:30--wake up and get ready
7:00--study
7:30--daily planning (we schedule what we will do during study times)
8:00--breakfast
8:35--gym time (I usually go running and play sand volleyball, but sometimes we go to the gym and use the bikes while watching church movies. It is great, but one is only so motivated by a church movie...and it is pretty embarrassing to tear up in the middle of working out, but it happens whenever they play the Joseph Smith movie!)
9:25--shower
10--language computer lab
11--additional study time (whatever we need to work on)
11:30-personal study time (I read scriptures, church talks, and Preach My Gospel)
12:30-lunch (I usually get a wrap)
1:20-- language study (I do flash cards or practice speaking with my class)
2:35--classroom instruction (our teacher helps us with grammar structures, pronunciation, teaching techniques, etc.)
5:35--dinner
6:20--classroom instruction (more teaching or we teach an investigator)
9:30--return to room and get ready for bed
10:30-lights out
Yes, it is a very busy, full schedule, but it is effective! I am learning all the time and (for the most part) I enjoy it!
I miss you all so much and I am so grateful for your letters. I love you.
Katie
Monday, July 16, 2012
Week 2, in which I run approximately ten thousand miles and eat approximately twenty thousand pieces of cheesecake. That balances out, right?
First of all, I can not say thank you enough for the letters, quotes, scriptures, and packages! I love you all so much! Even though some of my Dear Elder letters are addressed to "Elder Cutler," I know your heart is in the right place. Really, the trip to the mailbox after dinner is always the most nerve-wracking time of the day. We all stand around, acting really casual, pretending that we don't care about getting mail. But whenever we see Elder Morton coming back holding a small pile of letters, I pray so hard that all of them are for me! And I think the other missionaries do the same thing... Although they probably are much more Christlike and charitable than I am, so they probably pray that each of us will receive a letter. But it's whatever.
While on the subject of Elder Morton, let me tell you something. The kid is hilarious. He is sitting at the computer behind me saying over and over again, "He is very fat" in Cantonese. In the cafeteria, there are huge milk dispensers by the cereal bar. To make the milk come out, you pull up on a big metal handle, and the milk pours out of a thin, white tube. Well after he got his cereal the other day, he sat down next to me and we had the following conversation:
Elder: Have you ever milked a cow before?
Me: No, I haven't had the pleasure.
Elder: I haven't either. But I think it must feel kind of like using the milk dispenser. You push up on the udder and it's kind of heavy, and then the milk just squirts out.
Later that day:
Elder Arrington (as he gets out of his seat to stretch): Dang it, my butt fell asleep!
Elder Morton (with a completely straight face): That means it will be awake all night.
And if you haven't had enough of the elders' interesting, and sometimes rude, comments:
Elder Arrington (as he sits on the ground, looking at my feet): Are sisters allowed to get their nails done on P-Day?
Me: Are you saying that I need to get my nails done, Elder?
Elder Arrington: No! Not at all! My nails look real messed up too!
Me: Are you saying that my nails look real messed up?
Elder Arrington: No! Not at all! Why do you assume that I'm always being mean?
(At this point I wanted to go on about the implications of iteratives such as 'too,' but I think people are getting annoyed by my linguistic rants, so I held my tongue.)
But Elders aren't all bad! In fact, I don't think I've opened a door for myself in about 4 days, thanks to the Elders' chivalry. I always check the name tags of the Elders opening the door and try to thank them in the language that they'll be speaking on their mission. At first I thanked them in Cantonese, but 'mhgoi' doesn't really sound much like a word to most people so I've stopped doing that.
Speaking of the language, it's coming along okay! My teachers are great! For the first week and a half, we only had one teacher: Gu Hingdaih. But one day, as we prepared to go teach our investigator (A-Fung) again, A-Fung walked into our class wearing a shirt, tie, and white name tag! Turns our he's our other teacher! It was super weird for a while, because I wasn't used to him speaking in Yingmahn (English), but he's really cool. I love my language class; it's definitely one of the best parts of the day.
In other news, I've met an elder from Ireland and an elder from England. I secretly follow them around while we play sand volleyball just so I can listen to the lyrical lilt of their melodic voices. I don't tell them that though. It might creep them out. I also met the first, yes the FIRST, elders being sent to Turkey. YES. TURKEY. How miraculous is that?! I am literally witnessing history in the making.
Speaking of sand volleyball, I've been playing every day this week and I almost spiked it once! I'm practically a pro at this point. Sister Law isn't very athletic, but I get her to go running with me around the field by the temple, and we've set a companionship goal to do situps every day before we shower. My core will be solid steel by the time I leave the MTC.
One of my favorite things about the MTC is how musical it is. We aren't allowed to listen to our ipods or cd players, so everyone just sings or whistles wherever they go. I mentioned last week several of the songs that have been running through my head. Here is a smattering of this week's mental playlist: Waving Flag, I Must Have Done Something Good (Sound of Music), Hey Jude (this is especially contagious. As soon as I hear, "Na... na, na, na-na na na" I have it in my head for the rest of the night. And as I walk around the MTC humming it, I always hear at least one other person start singing too.), and (of course) Hark All Ye Nations. Honestly, Hark All Ye Nations is sung more frequently here than Called To Serve, which came as a surprise to me. At last week's devotional, we sang it as the opening hymn. At the end of every verse, the organist would play a brief chordal fanfare and then, no lie, change keys. He went up one step after every verse, so by the last verse I couldn't even hit the high notes! Of course, that may have been because I was laughing so much. I don't know if I've accurately conveyed to you how hilarious this situation was, but just take my word for it. It was pretty funny.
Rebecca, thanks for the updates on Wimbledon! That sounds pretty intense! If anyone wants to send me updates on the Olympics, I would really appreciate it!
The Provo temple has been closed for cleaning, so I won't be able to go for a couple more weeks. I'm really excited to go though! Even though we have a super early temple time.
Does anyone remember how, when we were little, we would walk around bent over, looking at the ceiling? And how it actually looks like you're walking on the ceiling? Well I noticed that in the bathroom, the same tile goes from the floor to the wall to the ceiling. So I did that again while showering. And then I felt silly. But not really.
Anyways, my time is almost up, so I'll send the rest of my update in a letter. Love you all! Thanks so much for your support!
Love,
Sister Katie Cutler
While on the subject of Elder Morton, let me tell you something. The kid is hilarious. He is sitting at the computer behind me saying over and over again, "He is very fat" in Cantonese. In the cafeteria, there are huge milk dispensers by the cereal bar. To make the milk come out, you pull up on a big metal handle, and the milk pours out of a thin, white tube. Well after he got his cereal the other day, he sat down next to me and we had the following conversation:
Elder: Have you ever milked a cow before?
Me: No, I haven't had the pleasure.
Elder: I haven't either. But I think it must feel kind of like using the milk dispenser. You push up on the udder and it's kind of heavy, and then the milk just squirts out.
Later that day:
Elder Arrington (as he gets out of his seat to stretch): Dang it, my butt fell asleep!
Elder Morton (with a completely straight face): That means it will be awake all night.
And if you haven't had enough of the elders' interesting, and sometimes rude, comments:
Elder Arrington (as he sits on the ground, looking at my feet): Are sisters allowed to get their nails done on P-Day?
Me: Are you saying that I need to get my nails done, Elder?
Elder Arrington: No! Not at all! My nails look real messed up too!
Me: Are you saying that my nails look real messed up?
Elder Arrington: No! Not at all! Why do you assume that I'm always being mean?
(At this point I wanted to go on about the implications of iteratives such as 'too,' but I think people are getting annoyed by my linguistic rants, so I held my tongue.)
But Elders aren't all bad! In fact, I don't think I've opened a door for myself in about 4 days, thanks to the Elders' chivalry. I always check the name tags of the Elders opening the door and try to thank them in the language that they'll be speaking on their mission. At first I thanked them in Cantonese, but 'mhgoi' doesn't really sound much like a word to most people so I've stopped doing that.
Speaking of the language, it's coming along okay! My teachers are great! For the first week and a half, we only had one teacher: Gu Hingdaih. But one day, as we prepared to go teach our investigator (A-Fung) again, A-Fung walked into our class wearing a shirt, tie, and white name tag! Turns our he's our other teacher! It was super weird for a while, because I wasn't used to him speaking in Yingmahn (English), but he's really cool. I love my language class; it's definitely one of the best parts of the day.
In other news, I've met an elder from Ireland and an elder from England. I secretly follow them around while we play sand volleyball just so I can listen to the lyrical lilt of their melodic voices. I don't tell them that though. It might creep them out. I also met the first, yes the FIRST, elders being sent to Turkey. YES. TURKEY. How miraculous is that?! I am literally witnessing history in the making.
Speaking of sand volleyball, I've been playing every day this week and I almost spiked it once! I'm practically a pro at this point. Sister Law isn't very athletic, but I get her to go running with me around the field by the temple, and we've set a companionship goal to do situps every day before we shower. My core will be solid steel by the time I leave the MTC.
One of my favorite things about the MTC is how musical it is. We aren't allowed to listen to our ipods or cd players, so everyone just sings or whistles wherever they go. I mentioned last week several of the songs that have been running through my head. Here is a smattering of this week's mental playlist: Waving Flag, I Must Have Done Something Good (Sound of Music), Hey Jude (this is especially contagious. As soon as I hear, "Na... na, na, na-na na na" I have it in my head for the rest of the night. And as I walk around the MTC humming it, I always hear at least one other person start singing too.), and (of course) Hark All Ye Nations. Honestly, Hark All Ye Nations is sung more frequently here than Called To Serve, which came as a surprise to me. At last week's devotional, we sang it as the opening hymn. At the end of every verse, the organist would play a brief chordal fanfare and then, no lie, change keys. He went up one step after every verse, so by the last verse I couldn't even hit the high notes! Of course, that may have been because I was laughing so much. I don't know if I've accurately conveyed to you how hilarious this situation was, but just take my word for it. It was pretty funny.
Rebecca, thanks for the updates on Wimbledon! That sounds pretty intense! If anyone wants to send me updates on the Olympics, I would really appreciate it!
The Provo temple has been closed for cleaning, so I won't be able to go for a couple more weeks. I'm really excited to go though! Even though we have a super early temple time.
Does anyone remember how, when we were little, we would walk around bent over, looking at the ceiling? And how it actually looks like you're walking on the ceiling? Well I noticed that in the bathroom, the same tile goes from the floor to the wall to the ceiling. So I did that again while showering. And then I felt silly. But not really.
Anyways, my time is almost up, so I'll send the rest of my update in a letter. Love you all! Thanks so much for your support!
Love,
Sister Katie Cutler
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
First EMail from MTC
Dear Mom, Dad, Rebecca, Rachel, Rowan, and other loved ones,
Hello from the MTC! It has been about one million years since I've talked to you, so I have a lot to write! Firstly, I have several requests. Could someone find Sydnee Floyd's address for me? It could be on her facebook or on her blog. Just check from my accounts. Secondly, if you've already sent me a towel, bless your soul. If you haven't, don't. And then send me a Dear Elder ASAP telling me that you didn't send me one so that I can buy one at the bookstore. Finally, can you send me the email addresses of the rest of the family? I only have mom's memorized. Thank you!
I'll start off telling you about my companion. Her name is Sister Law, and she is from Vancouver. Her parents are from Hong Kong, so she is fluent in Cantonese already! This is a wonderful blessing for our whole class, because she is so patient and constantly corrects our pronunciation and tones. She is such a sweetheart, and we are already really good friends. She's not one of the super peppy, loud sister missionaries, which is perfect. Yesterday we were walking to class and she was walking on my right side, but then switched over to my left because it was weird. And she was right, it was weird. We already have our own little habits like that haha. We are pretty good at reading each other's minds too. Like yesterday, we were playing church hangman and I guessed hers the first try! It was "hymn." So maybe it wasn't me reading her mind; it was probably more like my vast experience with church hangman...
There are three elders in our class, and they are all very different from each other--it so amusing to watch them interact with each other. Elder Morton is obsessed with learning Cantonese. He constantly asks Sister Law, "What's the word for ice cream? Santa? Antarctica? Sassy?" Elder Arrington is probably too cool for words. He knows incredible amounts of random trivia, especially when it comes to longboarding, martial arts movies, and soccer. (Also, his letters are being posted on a blog as well: elderarringtion.blogspot.com. You should put that link on my blog with Jesse's and Sister Heaton's.) Elder Kimball is the quiet, seemingly docile one of the group. However, he can get sassy when he needs to! He's almost a redhead, so naturally I like him already. Since our district only has 5 people, we've already grown really close and we joke around all the time.
They pack in so much here at the MTC. I've been so busy that (apart from night one) I have crashed as soon as my head hits the pillow. We have about 6 hours of class every day except for Sundays and Preparation Days (which is Monday for my district). I think I have a pretty good ear for Cantonese sounds. I can't remember the pronunciation for very long, but when I repeat after my teacher or Sister Law, I can do a pretty good job! I think it's from French. A lot of the sounds in French are used in Cantonese too, especially the sounds in the back of the throat. On Saturday we taught our first investigator in Cantonese. Well, let's be real. I said about four sentences: "I am Sister Cutler and this is Sister Law." "We are missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." "I know God is our Heavenly Father." "God loves his children." And Sister Law talked for about 30 minutes. It was a very humbling, and slightly frustrating experience. I alternated between trying to understand them, trying to think of any word in Cantonese, and praying that God would keep me from crying (which he did!). But when I relaxed for about two seconds, I felt the Spirit. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but as she told the Joseph Smith story, I could definitely feel the truthfulness of what Sister Law was saying.
In my personal study (an hour each day) I've been focusing on patience. It's only day 5, and I'm already getting frustrated with myself because I can't speak fluently! Yeah, I need to chill.
We aren't allowed to use our ipods here because it can be a distraction. But I have had songs running through my head (and often coming out of my mouth) constantly! I walk across campus singing "Cheetah Girls, Cheetah Sisters," "Do You Hear the People Sing?" "I Have Confidence" (from the Sound of Music). It seems like everyone has a similar problem. I heard "And I Will Always Love You" being sung in the gym the other day by a couple of the elders. And here is a conversation we heard this morning at breakfast:
Elder 1: Do you believe in magic, In a young girl's heart?
Elder 2 (joins in): How the music can free her whenever it starts! (They continue singing a few more lines)
Elder 2 (in a completely serious tone): I love you bro. You are such an example to me. (Then they bro hug)
Yes. I love the MTC. People are so open about their feelings and transition so readily from joking and laughter to serious "feelings" talks. It's like everyone has become just like me. Except without all the crying. (Side note: I've only cried once while here! Better believe it baby, because it's a new record!)
Another thing that happened in the MTC cafeteria: pizza salad. Not even kidding. Its lettuce with pizza toppings on it, as well as small chunks of actual pizza. The night before we had Papa John's, and the next day we had pizza salad. Coincidence? I think not. But the food isnt really that bad. And I can always eat cereal if I need to!
The other day in personal study I was reading in Philippians, and in there Paul calls his fellow missionaries "yokefellows." I love the image of all five of us missionaries carrying one huge, awkwardly bulky yoke together. So we've started calling each other yokefellows.
My favorite phrase in Cantonese is mihng mh mihngbaahk (pronounced ming-m-ming-ba). You say it super fast, and it means "Do you or do you not understand?" I say it all the time.
Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to put picture on here this week, but I'll try again next week! Please send me more on Dear Elder! I look forward to hearing from you! I love you all so much and I am so happy to be here!
Love Katie
AKA Sister Cutler
AKA Gat Jimuih (Cutler Sister)
Hello from the MTC! It has been about one million years since I've talked to you, so I have a lot to write! Firstly, I have several requests. Could someone find Sydnee Floyd's address for me? It could be on her facebook or on her blog. Just check from my accounts. Secondly, if you've already sent me a towel, bless your soul. If you haven't, don't. And then send me a Dear Elder ASAP telling me that you didn't send me one so that I can buy one at the bookstore. Finally, can you send me the email addresses of the rest of the family? I only have mom's memorized. Thank you!
I'll start off telling you about my companion. Her name is Sister Law, and she is from Vancouver. Her parents are from Hong Kong, so she is fluent in Cantonese already! This is a wonderful blessing for our whole class, because she is so patient and constantly corrects our pronunciation and tones. She is such a sweetheart, and we are already really good friends. She's not one of the super peppy, loud sister missionaries, which is perfect. Yesterday we were walking to class and she was walking on my right side, but then switched over to my left because it was weird. And she was right, it was weird. We already have our own little habits like that haha. We are pretty good at reading each other's minds too. Like yesterday, we were playing church hangman and I guessed hers the first try! It was "hymn." So maybe it wasn't me reading her mind; it was probably more like my vast experience with church hangman...
There are three elders in our class, and they are all very different from each other--it so amusing to watch them interact with each other. Elder Morton is obsessed with learning Cantonese. He constantly asks Sister Law, "What's the word for ice cream? Santa? Antarctica? Sassy?" Elder Arrington is probably too cool for words. He knows incredible amounts of random trivia, especially when it comes to longboarding, martial arts movies, and soccer. (Also, his letters are being posted on a blog as well: elderarringtion.blogspot.com. You should put that link on my blog with Jesse's and Sister Heaton's.) Elder Kimball is the quiet, seemingly docile one of the group. However, he can get sassy when he needs to! He's almost a redhead, so naturally I like him already. Since our district only has 5 people, we've already grown really close and we joke around all the time.
They pack in so much here at the MTC. I've been so busy that (apart from night one) I have crashed as soon as my head hits the pillow. We have about 6 hours of class every day except for Sundays and Preparation Days (which is Monday for my district). I think I have a pretty good ear for Cantonese sounds. I can't remember the pronunciation for very long, but when I repeat after my teacher or Sister Law, I can do a pretty good job! I think it's from French. A lot of the sounds in French are used in Cantonese too, especially the sounds in the back of the throat. On Saturday we taught our first investigator in Cantonese. Well, let's be real. I said about four sentences: "I am Sister Cutler and this is Sister Law." "We are missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." "I know God is our Heavenly Father." "God loves his children." And Sister Law talked for about 30 minutes. It was a very humbling, and slightly frustrating experience. I alternated between trying to understand them, trying to think of any word in Cantonese, and praying that God would keep me from crying (which he did!). But when I relaxed for about two seconds, I felt the Spirit. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but as she told the Joseph Smith story, I could definitely feel the truthfulness of what Sister Law was saying.
In my personal study (an hour each day) I've been focusing on patience. It's only day 5, and I'm already getting frustrated with myself because I can't speak fluently! Yeah, I need to chill.
We aren't allowed to use our ipods here because it can be a distraction. But I have had songs running through my head (and often coming out of my mouth) constantly! I walk across campus singing "Cheetah Girls, Cheetah Sisters," "Do You Hear the People Sing?" "I Have Confidence" (from the Sound of Music). It seems like everyone has a similar problem. I heard "And I Will Always Love You" being sung in the gym the other day by a couple of the elders. And here is a conversation we heard this morning at breakfast:
Elder 1: Do you believe in magic, In a young girl's heart?
Elder 2 (joins in): How the music can free her whenever it starts! (They continue singing a few more lines)
Elder 2 (in a completely serious tone): I love you bro. You are such an example to me. (Then they bro hug)
Yes. I love the MTC. People are so open about their feelings and transition so readily from joking and laughter to serious "feelings" talks. It's like everyone has become just like me. Except without all the crying. (Side note: I've only cried once while here! Better believe it baby, because it's a new record!)
Another thing that happened in the MTC cafeteria: pizza salad. Not even kidding. Its lettuce with pizza toppings on it, as well as small chunks of actual pizza. The night before we had Papa John's, and the next day we had pizza salad. Coincidence? I think not. But the food isnt really that bad. And I can always eat cereal if I need to!
The other day in personal study I was reading in Philippians, and in there Paul calls his fellow missionaries "yokefellows." I love the image of all five of us missionaries carrying one huge, awkwardly bulky yoke together. So we've started calling each other yokefellows.
My favorite phrase in Cantonese is mihng mh mihngbaahk (pronounced ming-m-ming-ba). You say it super fast, and it means "Do you or do you not understand?" I say it all the time.
Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to put picture on here this week, but I'll try again next week! Please send me more on Dear Elder! I look forward to hearing from you! I love you all so much and I am so happy to be here!
Love Katie
AKA Sister Cutler
AKA Gat Jimuih (Cutler Sister)
Monday, July 9, 2012
Katie arrives at Missionary Training Center July 5th, 2012
Katie arrives at MTC in the rain. New missionaries are dropped off by family or friends and assisted by others already at MTC.
She packed well--each bag was under weight allowances so she can add books and other necessities.
Brooke Adams and Becca Bradshaw deliver her safely to MTC.
This is her first letter (hand-written and mailed by post)
Dear Father, Mother, Rebecca, Rachel, Rowan:
My branch president told me to send you a letter to let you know I am alive! Today has been so exhausting and crazy, but I know Cantonese words and have some new friends! My companion, Sister Law, is great. We have faced two crises today: 1. Her perfume bottle broke in her luggage, so we had to clean everything. Bright side--my hands still smell good! and 2. I don't have a towel...Can you send me one? Apparently towels are luxuries only afforded to senior couples. Bright side--we met about 20 people at the front desk and from housekeeping and from security who all wanted me to get a shower ASAP.
Our district has 3 elders and 2 sisters, and I can already tell we're going to be super close. There is another companionship in our room, including my friend Sister Heaton! She is so fun.
I am so tired but so happy. I have no doubt that this is where I need to be right now. It's time for lights out and I don't have time tomorrow to write, so I'll wrap it up! My p-day is Monday, so expect an email! And please send me Dear Elder instead of email because I only get 30 minutes on the computer and I want to send you detailed emails!
I love you all so much. Thank you for being supportive and wonderful! Miss you lots!
Love, Sister Cutler
P.S. Sister Heaton sang the welcome song from "She's the Man" in class and I recognized it!
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